MWC 1999-2001 Pattern Quartz Day/Date Military Divers Watch with Stainless Steel Case and Sapphire Crystal
£249.00 GBP
Product Details
SKU: DIV2001/DD/SS
MWC first manufactured the predecessor to this 300m/1000ft water-resistant diver's watch between the early 1990s and 2004. While some details, such as the dial design, changed over that period, the 1999-2001 pattern dial remains the clear winner due to its easily readable, uncluttered layout and first-rate nighttime performance. This watch retains that original dial pattern, and while the original watches used tritium, these new versions use Luminova, which is free of radioactive elements.
Rediscovery and Remake
Although this watch was discontinued by MWC 20 years ago, an interesting turn of events occurred when an MWC distributor in Australia discovered 500 brand-new watches in their storeroom. These watches, made between 1999 and 2001, were part of a procurement contract. When the distributor's son conducted a detailed stock check, these watches came to light. We were offered the opportunity to buy them back, and their popularity prompted us to remake the watch in the same design with significant upgrades.
Upgrades and Improvements
Advances in watch manufacturing over the past 20 years allowed us to enhance the overall specifications:
- Crystal: Upgraded from hardened mineral glass to sapphire, which is highly scratch and shatter-resistant.
- Bezel: Upgraded to a 120-click bezel versus the earlier 60 or 90-click versions.
- Movement: Introduction of the Swiss Ronda 517 Day/Date movement with a 45-month battery life.
Historical Case Design
These watches are closely based on a case design originally made by the renowned Swiss case-making firm MRP S.A. Founded in 1953, MRP is now independently owned by Patrick Hauert. The case design has remained largely unchanged since the late 1970s. More information can be found on their website: MRP S.A..
Notable Users and Legacy
This case pattern has been used by various companies, including Precista, Nilax, Elvia, and Heuer (predecessors to Tag Heuer). Notable models include the Heuer 844-1 (1979) and the Chronosport Sea Quartz 30, worn by Tom Selleck in Magnum PI. Elvia continues to produce watches using this case, and MWC is a factory-authorized distributor for this brand. CWC and other companies also continue to use this case design, which has been in continuous production for over 40 years.
The basic design of this specific MWC watch goes back to the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) specification.
Dimensions and Specifications
- Casing: Stainless Steel Satin Finish
- Crown: Screw-down Locking
- Water Resistance: 30 ATM / 300m / 1000ft
- Movement: Swiss Ronda 517 Day/Date
- Battery Life: 45 months
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Dimensions:
- Width including crown: 45mm
- Width excluding crown: 40mm
- Thickness: 13.1mm
- Lug to lug: 46.5mm
- Crystal diameter: 31mm
- Crystal Type: Sapphire with non-reflective coating
- Luminous Pigment Type: Super Luminova (Please note that the night image shows a slightly different variant of the watch, but the performance of the day/date version is identical)
- Bezel: 120-click unidirectional
- Weight: 89.5g
- Strap: 1 x Grey and 1 x Black NATO strap.
- Strap Bars: Solid Fixed
- Guarantee: 24 months
Benefits of Sapphire Crystal
Synthetic sapphire is the best material for watch crystals due to its strength and shatter and scratch resistance. These characteristics make it very appealing to military and security personnel, police officers, and active outdoor enthusiasts, who account for over 70% of our customers. Over 90% of cracked crystal incidents involve watches with mineral glass crystals. Even hardened mineral crystals do not match sapphire's durability under adverse conditions. Sapphire crystals are heat-treated to remove internal stresses, enhancing their strength, and are made into watch crystals with two layers of anti-reflective coating. While more expensive, sapphire crystal is typically fitted to higher-end watches and is now used in the latest iPhone models.
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